A COMPANY has said it is “working very hard to address the matters raised” after one of its care homes was rated as 'requires improvement' by watchdogs.

Riverdale Care Home, in Braintree, was handed the rating after its latest inspection by the CQC.

Despite being rated as 'good' in three categories, the home was let down in the ‘safe’ and ‘well-led’ areas of the report.

The report said “some aspects of the service were not always safe and there was limited assurance about safety”, adding that “staff had not always documented incidents appropriately”.

In the categories of ‘effective’, ‘caring’ and ‘responsive’, the care home was rated as good.

The report also praised the change in management, saying: “There was now a new registered manager in post, and people, relatives and staff spoke enthusiastically about their approach and the positive impact they had made in the service.”

It also said there were enough staff available to meet people's needs.

In a statement, Westgate Healthcare, which runs the care home, said: “We acknowledge the comments made in the recent CQC report for Riverdale Care Home, in which the home has been rated requires improvement in the categories of ‘safe’ and ‘well-led’, and have been working very hard to address the matters raised quickly with meaningful and well-embedded actions.

“Prior to the inspection, we had appointed our new registered home manager Renata Sulugiuc, who works tirelessly with her team always striving to raise care standards.

“The report acknowledges that people and relatives spoke positively about the care provided at Riverdale and the improvements we have made, with one relative stating that communication is better, it is a happy environment, and they are confident their relative is well cared for.

“We would encourage anyone with concerns to read the CQC report and visit us at Riverdale to see the care in action for themselves.

“We are confident that the home is once again in a much better place and provides a safe and caring environment for its residents.

“We look forward to welcoming the CQC back to reinspect Riverdale at their earliest opportunity.

“The home maintains its rating of good for the remaining three categories of ‘effective’, ‘caring’ and ‘responsive’.”